Factors affecting sweetpotato production and soil fertility challenges among smallholder farmers in Kenya

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Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas) is an important food crop in Kenya, but farmers experience
low production and thus their food and income security is threatened. This study was done
to document factors affecting sweetpotato production and soil fertility challenges in Kenya.
A survey was carried out between 21st January 2016 to 13th February 2016 in Kakamega
and Elgeiyo Marakwet Counties in Kenya using structured interviews and observations.
The features factored in the study were demographic factors, ranking of crops, access
to agricultural information, soil fertility challenges and strategies used by the farmers to
overcome these constraints. Results indicate that women are the predominant (55.9 %)
sweetpotato growers. Majority of the farmers (54.6 %) had attained primary education.
Individual land ownership was the norm (76.3 %) with most farms owing 1.0 to 3.0 acres
(0.3 - 1.1 ha). Sweetpotato was ranked as the third most important (48.0 %) crop. Many
farmers (61.2.0 %) get planting material from other farmers. High cost of fertilisers and low
soil fertility in addition to soil erosion were the major soil fertility challenges experienced
by sweetpotato growing farmers in west Kenya. Rotational cropping, intercropping and
use of animal manure were among the strategies undertaken by the farmers to improve soil
fertility. The study used OLS regression to determine the level of productivity per acre.
Diagnostic test before regression analysis was carried out. The statistic F (6, 143) = 12.18
( p < 0.05) indicated that factors which include agro-ecological zone, access to agricultural
information, sweetpotato variety and use of fertilizer explained 31 per cent variation in
productivity levels per acre. The OLS results indicate that the base level productivity is
approximately 38 bags per acre with other significant factors being the sweetpotato variety,
agro ecological zone, access to agricultural information and use of fertiliser (organic/
inorganic). It can be concluded that the low level of education among the smallholder
farmers necessitates simpler ways of disseminating agricultural information. Training on
use of fertilisers should be given priority to avoid continuous cropping without mineral
replenishment.